Argentina’s World Cup celebration tour will see the champions host Curacao in Santiago del Estero on Tuesday as they wrap up their friendly match slate for March.
Lionel Messi scored again on a majestic free-kick last Thursday against Panama in a 2-0 victory, and now he’s one goal shy of 100 goals with the senior national team. He’d be one of just three men’s players to break that barrier.
He should get his share of chances as Messi’s No. 2-ranked side takes on No. 86 Curacao for the first time in history in what is a mismatch on paper. Curacao, who are using the match as prep for World Cup qualifying, are coming off a 2-0 home loss to Canada on Saturday in CONCACAF Nations League play, leaving them bottom of their group.
Many expect this to be a relatively easy affair for Argentina, who are still in World Cup celebration mode with their fans. But a reserve Panama side held the champions at bay on Thursday until late in the game when goals by Thiago Almada and Messi decided that affair. Additionally, Curacao are ranked 86th in the world and have caused the occasional problem in CONCACAF play.
Sporting News is following the Argentina vs. Curacao match live and providing live score updates, commentary.
MORE: Latest international friendly results
Argentina vs Curacao live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Argentina | — | — | — |
| Curacao | — | — | — |
Goals:
None
Lineups:
Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23-‘Dibu’ Martinez (GK) — 4-Montiel, 6-Pezzella, 19-Otamendi, 8-Acuna — 20-Mac Allister, 24-E. Fernandez, 17-Lo Celso — 10-Messi, 22-La. Martinez, 16-N. Gonzalez
Curacao (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Room (GK) — 3-Gaari, 2-Martina, 4-Van Eijma, 5-Floranus— 10-L. Bacuna, 6-Anita — 17-Kuwas, 7-J. Bacuna, 14-Gorre — 9-Janga
Argentina vs Curacao live updates, highlights from friendly
2 mins from kickoff: After the Curacao anthem, the Argentina anthem is played on a violin. It must be said — not quite the same energy. It’s more of a classic delivery by the singers, sounding more like a prayer. The fans are not really into it.
5 mins from kickoff: Teams are out on the field for anthems. Argentina come out with t-shirts that say “2030 Juntos” (2030 Together) in reference to the joint bid for the 2030 World Cup (Uruguay. Argentina. Paraguay. Chile).
Uds quieren que parte de un mundial se haga en Argentina? pic.twitter.com/yKA9k9byZd
— bokita edits 🔪🐔 (@cabjedits) March 28, 2023
11 mins from kickoff: Both teams are back in the locker, while the stadium goes dark and the cell phone lights are on. Quite the show as a video plays on the stadium field.
La fiesta no para en Argentina. Hoy, en Santiago del Estero. pic.twitter.com/eaAnLPlTiO
— Gustavo Flores (@Gusflores21) March 28, 2023
23 mins from kickoff: Leo Messi in warmups. There’s plenty of Messi in the stands, too.
🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/DBSsuPqDqh
— Argentina Gol (@BocaJrsGol) March 28, 2023
🎶Y alentándolo a Lionel 🎶
Dibu ya realiza el precalentamiento en el Madre de Ciudades. pic.twitter.com/79V9X4dSY3
— Liga Profesional de Fútbol (@LigaAFA) March 28, 2023
45 mins from kickoff: The referee crew today is also from Uruguay, just like the past game against Panama.
#SelecciónMayor Cuerpo arbitral para @Argentina –#Curazao 🇨🇼
Árbitro: Gustavo Tejera 🇺🇾
Asistente 1: Carlos Barreiro 🇺🇾
Asistente 2: Richard Trinidad 🇺🇾
Cuarto árbitro: Christian Ferreyra 🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/z5cZFg2ePq— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 28, 2023
60 mins from kickoff: The Argentina lineup is out with six changes. Nico Gonzalez and Lautaro Martinez are up front with Messi behind them. Three new defenders (Otamendi remains) and one new midfielder as Giovano Lo Celso takes the place of Rodrigo De Paul.
#SelecciónMayor – #Amistoso
📋 ¡Once inicial confirmado! ⚽
Así formará @Argentina 🇦🇷 para el encuentro ante #Curazao 🇨🇼 ¡Se vienen los campeones! pic.twitter.com/P9j9laROVu
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 28, 2023
The starting XI for the match against Argentina in less than an hour. @KenjiGorre replaces Richairo Živković at left wing. BAN ARIBA KÒRSOU‼️#argCUW #EOlaBlou #NosTa12 pic.twitter.com/d6BQizvv23
— Curaçao Football News (@Curacaofootbal1) March 28, 2023
70 mins from kickoff: Of course, as long as they’re called up together, the superstition is not going away: Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes popping a candy in the center circle before every match.
Caramelos y concentración, siempre.
Las cábalas se respetan. @rodridepaul @LParedss 🇦🇷🫶🏼pic.twitter.com/AKlRt5H7l4
— Pibe de Fiorito ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@pibedefiorito) March 28, 2023
The Curacao players taking advantage of the duo being at midfield for a few selfies before the match.
Todos quieren fotos con los CAMPEONES DEL MUNDO 📲🤩
La delegación de Curazao junto a De Paul y Paredes en la previa del partido ante Argentina 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/ysqjR73oJh
— TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) March 28, 2023
80 mins from kickoff: Argentina arrive at the stadium and there’s a confetti cannon at the back entrance that goes off just as Messi is passing through. Not where you’d imagine a confetti cannon to be.
🇦🇷 Los campeones del mundo llegan al Madre de Ciudades 🌟🌟🌟 pic.twitter.com/RCdrM1bElJ
— Anto Panetta (@anntopanetta) March 28, 2023
80 mins from kickoff: Curacao’s players went out to the field as soon as they arrived and made sure to capture the scene for posterity.
CON CELU EN MANO 🤳 : RECONOCIMIENTO DEL CAMPO DE JUEGO PARA CURAZAO 🇨🇼
Los rivales de la Scaloneta salieron a la cancha admirando al Madre de Ciudades y al público argentino que copa el Estadio. pic.twitter.com/DYIzaZMbs6
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) March 28, 2023
84 mins from kickoff: The Curacao players are already getting ahead of it. Yesterday they asked Messi for 23 shirts for the entire team so that they don’t have to fight over his one game jersey.
Hilarious video still. For anyone who hasn’t heard about it yet. Yesterday our captain Rhu-endly ‘Cuco’ Martina took initiative and decided to ask for 23 Messi kits for every player in an interview with @TyCSports. Pretty pretty please @afa?#argCUW #EOlaBlou #NosTa12 pic.twitter.com/RXNDsPxF5s
— Curaçao Football News (@Curacaofootbal1) March 28, 2023
90 mins from kickoff: The Estadio Madre de Ciudades is already full and we’re still 90 minutes away from kickoff. Incredible.
¡Tremendo marco en el Estadio Madre de Ciudades!
¡JUEGA LA SCALONETA! pic.twitter.com/hRheoO5i7o— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) March 28, 2023
96 mins from kickoff: The Argentina team bus is heading to the stadium and you can hear the bedlam in the streets.
🚨#AHORA | La #Scaloneta ya partió hacia el estadio
📌El traslado del plantel de @Argentina no es en micro descapotable por el calor, preservando la integridad física de los jugadores
📌Se optó por el tradicional micro techado escoltado por la policíapic.twitter.com/HhKCoroqG5
— doble amarilla ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@okdobleamarilla) March 28, 2023
115 mins from kickoff: According to calculations by Argentina-based journalist Pablo Giralt, if Argentina can beat Curacao, they will leapfrog Brazil into the No. 1 spot of the FIFA World Rankings after No. 1 Brazil lost to Morocco on Saturday.
Tras la derrota de Brasil, la Selección Argentina ES LA NÚMERO 1 DEL RANKING FIFA. Si el martes vence a Curazao se consolidará en esa posición sin importar otros resultados. pic.twitter.com/xNRTYgFIn1
— Pablo Giralt (@giraltpablo) March 26, 2023
120 mins from kickoff: It’s been over three months since Argentina won the World Cup, but the emotions are still flowing. Fast forward to the 1:10 mark of this video to see what it means to this kid to learn he’s going to Tuesday’s game. The “Gracias, Mami” will hit you right there.
Ayer te emocionaste con José, hoy hacelo con este pequeño: recibió de regalo de cumpleaños las entradas para ver a Messi en Argentina vs. Curazao y rompió en llanto. Amor por el fútbol y el mejor del mundo. 😢
📹 TikTok/micaelavena115 pic.twitter.com/bVl5OEku7y
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) March 28, 2023
Argentina vs Curacao lineups
On Thursday, manager Lionel Scaloni opted to field the same starting 11 that took the field against France in the 2022 World Cup final. Against Curacao there are six changes, with both fullbacks switched out, and Giovani Lo Celso, Lautaro Martinez, Nico Gonzalez, and center-back German Pezzella in the lineup.
Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada are not on the matchday roster.
Argentina starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 23-Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez (GK) — 4-Gonzalo Montiel, 6-German Pezzella, 19-Nicolas Otamendi, 8-Marcos Acuna — 20-Alexis Mac Allister, 24-Enzo Fernandez, 17-Giovani Lo Celso — 10-Lionel Messi, 22-Lautaro Martinez, 16-Nico Gonzalez
Argentina subs (15): 1-Franco Armani (GK), 12-Geronimo Rulli (GK), 13-Cristiano Romero, 2-Juan Foyth, 3-Nicolas Tagliafico, 25-Lisandro Martinez, 14-Exequiel Palacios, 7-Rodrigo De Paul, 5-Leandro Paredes, 18-Guido Rodriguez, 21-Paulo Dybala, 9-Julian Alvarez, 11-Angel Di Maria, 15-Angel Correa, 26-Giovanni Simeone.
Curacao manager Remko Bicentini has 23 players at his disposal including several Dutch-born players with ties to the island nation who play in the Netherlands like captain Cuco Martina (NAC Breda). A pair of brothers play in England: Leandro Bacuna (Watford) and Juninho Bacuna (Birmingham City). As in the case against Canada, Perth Glory defender Darryl Lachman will not be available.
He makes only one change from the starting lineup that lost to Canada 2-0 on Saturday. Kenji Gorre enters in place of Richairo Zivkovic on the left wing. Jurien Gaari, who picked up a first-half red card on two caution cards, is back in the lineup.
Curacao lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Eloy Room (GK) — 3-Jurien Gaari, 2-Cuco Martina, 4-Roshon van Eijma, 5-Sherel Floranus— 10-Leandro Bacuna, 6-Vurnon Anita — 17-Brandley Kuwas, 7-Juninho Bacuna, 14-Kenji Gorre — 9-Rangelo Janga
Curacao subs (12): 22-Tyrick Bodak (GK), 23-Trevor Doornbusch (GK), 12-Shanon Carmelia, 19-Giovanni Troupee, 13-Justin Ogenia, 15-Nathangelo Markelo, 20-Kevin Felida, 18-Elson Hooi, 21-Jeremy Antonisse, 16-Xander Severina, 8-Godfried Roemeratoe, 11-Richairo Zivkovic
Watch Argentina vs Curacao live stream, TV channel
The Argentina vs. Curacao match from the Estadio Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero kicks off at 8:30 p.m. local time. According to reports, the 42,000 tickets were sold out in less than one hour.
Here’s where and at what time you can watch the friendly around the world:
| Date | Kickoff time | TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Wed, Mar. 29 | 10:30 AEDT | — | — |
| Canada | Tue, Mar. 28 | 19:30 EDT | — | Fanatiz |
| Hong Kong | Wed, Mar. 29 | 07:30 HKT | — | — |
| India | Wed, Mar. 29 | 05:00 IST | — | — |
| Malaysia | Wed, Mar. 29 | 07:30 MYT | — | — |
| New Zealand | Wed, Mar. 29 | 12:30 NZDT | — | — |
| Singapore | Wed, Mar. 29 | 07:30 SGT | — | — |
| UK | Wed, Mar. 29 | 00:30 BST | BT Sport 2 | BT Sport site/app |
| USA | Tue, Mar. 28 | 19:30 EDT | — | Fanatiz |
UK: This match will available to watch live in the UK on BT Sports’ TV and streaming services.
USA/Canada: The match will be streamed exclusively in the United States and Canada on soccer streaming platform Fanatiz for a one-time fee.
Worldwide: With a lack of broadcast options available, LiveSoccerTV has confirmed an international viewing option on YouTube though it didn’t specify which channel.
